The Dallas Mavericks are behind 0-1 to the Los Angeles Clippers following a 109-97 defeat in Game 1 of the NBA Playoffs' first round in Los Angeles on Sunday.
Los Angeles played Los Angeles played without star forward Kawhi Leonard, but it didn't seem to make a difference as the Clippers dominated the whole game.
The game shifted after an initial 7-7 tie. The Clippers went on a 49-23 spree for the remainder of the first half, limiting Dallas to only eight points in the second quarter. The Mavericks only managed to shoot 22.5% from the field and scored 30 points in the first half.
Despite all the improvements made by Dallas to their defense, the Clippers were able to continue finding advantages inside. In the first half, the Clippers outscored the Mavericks 24-8 in the paint, with Ivica Zubac scoring 12 points and grabbing 10 rebounds, resulting in a career-high 20 points and 15 rebounds in the game. scored The ease with which Zubac managed the Mavs' frontcourt doesn't bode well for potential future playoff series, as Dallas may need to face Denver's Nikola Jokic or Minnesota's Karl-Anthony Towns if they progress far enough.
The Mavericks fought back in the third quarter, outscoring Los Angeles 34-31. Kyrie Irving found his offensive stride with 20 points in the quarter, providing the Mavericks with some offensive clout alongside Luka Doncic.
Nevertheless, with time running out, Dallas remained behind, and despite narrowing the gap to 12 points in the final quarter, it was insufficient.
James Harden also delivered an effective game, contributing 28 points on 8-of-17 shooting, including 6-of-11 from three-point range, to bolster the Los Angeles offense.
Doncic led the Mavericks with 33 points, 13 rebounds, and six assists, while Irving contributed 31 points, seven rebounds, and four assists. PJ Washington was the only other Maverick to score in double figures with 11.
For Dallas to reverse the best-of-seven first-round series, they will require other scorers to step up.
Dallas Mavericks and the Clippers will face off in Game 2 at 9 p.m. CT on Tuesday in Los Angeles. The series will then move to Dallas for Games 3 and 4 on Friday and next Sunday.
The Dallas Mavericks are currently trailing the Los Angeles Clippers 1-0 after a 109-97 Game 1 loss in the first round of the NBA Playoffs in Los Angeles on Sunday. Los Angeles played without star forward Kawhi Leonard, but it did not seem to matter as the Clippers controlled the entire game. Game 1 flipped after an […] shift to Dallas for Games 3 and 4 on Friday and next Sunday.
